Contents
1.Basic Information
Shodoshima (Syoudoshima) is a beautiful island in the Seto Inland Sea, known for its olive production, rich nature, and historical spots. Here are some of the sightseeing spots.
Angel Road
The sand road, which passes through the neighboring islands of Shodoshima, appears twice a day at low tide. It is said that if you cross this road hand in hand with a loved one, an angel will descend and grant your wish. Adjacent to it is the “Hill of Promise Lookout,” from where you can overlook the beautiful Angel Road.
Kankakei
Kankakei is one of the three greatest valleys of beauty in Japan and a representative scenic spot in the Seto Inland Sea National Park. Born from a volcanic eruption about 13 million years ago, the valley of strange rock walls created over two million years is surrounded by indigenous plants that change their appearance with the seasons.
Shodoshima Olive Park
Shodoshima is known as the “Mediterranean of Japan,” renowned for its olive production. Shodoshima Olive Park is located on a hill overlooking the sea, with olive trees and herbs planted and Greek-style buildings lined up.
Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village
Shodoshima is the model island for the novel “Twenty-Four Eyes” by local author Sakae Tsuboi. The “Cape Branch School” was the filming location for the movie, and the school supplies from that time are still preserved. These Meiji-era wooden buildings are protected as cultural assets of Shodoshima Town, and visitors can catch a glimpse of life at that time.
Dofuchi Strait (Dohuchikaikyo)
Dofuchi Strait, with a total length of 2.5km, a maximum width of 400m, and a minimum width of 9.93m, is recognized in the Guinness Book as the “narrowest strait in the world.” The town hall issues certificates to commemorate the crossing (for a fee).
Thousand-Year-Old Olive Tree
The “Thousand-Year-Old Olive Tree,” which could be said to be the symbol of Shodoshima, was imported from Andalusia, Spain, and arrived in Japan the day after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This vibrant old tree, together with the quiet scenery of Shodoshima, emphasizes its grandeur.
2.Reviews
The view of the sea and the islands from Kankakei is fantastic. When you ride the Kankakei Ropeway, beautiful autumn leaves and strange rocks beyond imagination appear, characterized by their contrast with the rock face. I highly recommend taking the ropeway to see the scenery when visiting Kankakei.
Shodoshima’s Olive Park is the filming location for the movie “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” and you can borrow a “magic broom” for free and take pictures as if you were flying. Especially, jumping forward results in good photos. The main spot in the park is the Windmill Hill, but there are other sightseeing spots scattered around the olive groves.
3.Local Food
4.Transportation Information
There are two ways to get to Shodoshima: by ferry from Hyogo or Okayama Prefectures on the mainland, or by ferry from Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku. Of these, the number of ferry services from Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture is recommended because it is more frequent.
https://shodoshima.or.jp/access/ (English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese)
5.Map Information
Shodoshima is located about 20km northeast off Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture and is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea after Awaji Island. The coastline is diverse, with many peninsulas and bays. It is also the most populous isolated island in Japan that can only be accessed by boat. The number of ferries departing and arriving each day is one of the highest in Japan.
